First graders at Austin Road Elementary School were treated to a visit from PNW BOCES environmental educator Daniel Carvill, who led them on an engaging exploration of how different animals survive the winter months.
“The first graders were eager to share what they already knew about animals and nature while also picking up new, surprising facts,” Mahopac teacher Michelle Seymour said. “This program was a perfect complement to our nonfiction unit, and we’re grateful to Mr. Carvill for helping our students understand how animals adapt and thrive in winter.”
During his presentation, Carvill introduced the students to a fascinating range of strategies that animals use to adapt to cold weather conditions, including hibernation and torpor, brumation, dormancy, migration and staying active. The young learners discovered how different species employ various survival tactics. Carvill explained that while many people associate hibernation with bears, the truth is that bears enter a state called torpor, where their body temperature drops but they remain somewhat active, unlike true hibernators that experience deeper, longer periods of sleep.
The hands-on experience didn’t end with the lesson—students also closely examined a black bear pelt and rabbit fur, offering them a tactile connection to the concepts they had learned. The highlight of the day was meeting Moana, a painted turtle and animal ambassador known for her surprising speed, which left the first graders in awe. This intriguing, educational experience gave the students a deeper understanding of nature’s winter survival tactics and an appreciation for the diverse ways animals adapt to the cold.
